Nikki Gatch has been selected as the first female and PGA member to be president of the Southern California Golf Association.
Gatch succeeds Bob Livingstone of El Dorado Park Course in Long Beach.
“Being the first PGA Professional and first woman to become SCGA President is an honor I am truly humbled by,” said Gatch, a member of the Southern California PGA who lives in San Marcos.
“I don’t take the honor and responsibility lightly, and I vow, along with my fellow Board Members, to continue to lead this great Association with integrity, passion and vision, just as the Presidents before me have done. The opportunity and responsibility with being first is to ensure you’re not the last.”
Gatch also serves as Assistant Executive Director/Chief Operating Officer for the Southern California PGA section. Before that, Gatch worked for the PGA of America as a Player Development Regional Manager and then as Regional League Manager.
In addition, Gatch previously was a co-owner of Emerald Isle Golf Course in Oceanside for three years with her husband and fellow PGA member, Don.
Gatch joined the SCGA Board of Directors in 2014 and has serve on numerous committees, including Communications & Marketing, Hall of Fame, Membership Development and SCGA Junior Golf Foundation. She has also served as the emcee for the annual So Cal Women’s Summit, co-managed by the SCGA and the SCPGA.
Joining Gatch on the 2021-22 SCGA Executive Committee are Vice President Mike Ortega of Skylinks Golf Course in Long Beach, Secretary Huy Dang of Griffith Park Golf Course in Los Angeles and Treasurer Zack Moran of Olivas Links Golf Course in Ventura.
Also serving on the 2021-2022 SCGA Board of Directors are Jorge Badel, South Bay Public Links Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, John Fischer of Los Angeles Country Club, Lynne Haraway of Porter Valley Country Club in Northridge, John Kobara of Screaming Eagles Golf Club in Torrance, Azucena Maldonado of Latina Golfers Golf Club in Los Angeles, George Mallory of Rancho Park Golf Course in Los Angeles, Tom Reul of Briarwood Golf Course and immediate past president Livingstone.
